Knifeman jailed

A drunken knifeman who pulled out the weapon in a crowded Exmouth nightclub has been jailed as a warning to others.At Exeter Crown Court, Judge Graham Cottle told Joel Renbourn, 41: "You were in a crowded nightclub when you suddenly pulled out a steak knife and started waving it around, threatening an acquaintance. "Knife crime is very much in the spotlight at the moment and anyone who is in possession of a knife or worse still, producing one, commits a very serious offence. "You have three previous convictions, all involving drink, and this time you were seriously under the influence. Producing a knife in such circumstances is an escalation of your behaviour. I cannot find any exceptional circumstances that allow me to avoid passing an immediate prison sentence to mark what you did and send out a message to others who carry knives that they will go to jail."Prosecutor Ann Hampshire had told the court the incident happened at Fahrenheit after Renbourn had been drinking in other establishments. He suddenly pulled out the knife and waved it at a friend, making a derogatory remark, before the weapon was taken from him and given to door staff.Renbourn was later to say he had taken the knife from a restaurant to tighten a screw at home. "That is such a load of nonsense," said Judge Cottle.Mitigating, Piers Norsworthy said Renbourn was now in Portsmouth. In the last month he had not touched drink and was hoping to find a job.Renbourn, who was living in Cranford Avenue at the time, pleaded guilty to possessing an article with a blade or point and was jailed for six weeks.